Physics topic
Space & gravity simulations
Explore orbital motion and gravitational attraction by changing mass, separation and initial velocity.
Why does an orbit keep curving?
Choose an initial orbit, change its tangential speed and compare the resulting path. Distinguish the gravitational force from the direction of the velocity.
- Inverse-square gravitational force
- Orbital speed and trajectory
- Energy in a gravitational system
Start here
These labs provide a route into the topic. Make a prediction first, then use the controls to test it.
All space & gravity experiments
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